What do you think?
Rate this book
Body Safety for Young Children: Empowering Caring Adults
Talking about sexual abuse is the key to preventing it. Avoiding talking about body safety and sexual-abuse prevention is what abusers want. Body Safety for Young Empowering Caring Adults gives parents, guardians, caregivers, and teachers the information, resources, tools, and helpful real-life tips to help keep children safe. This book takes the fear out of sexual-abuse prevention and makes it approachable by making a partnership between parents and teachers.
- GenresParenting
194 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2023
40 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly King
4 books41 followersKimberly King is a child-development professional, certified early-childhood educator and speaker. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood development and family studies from University of Maine and a Master of Science degree in early childhood education. She is the author of
“I Said ‘No!’,” a best-selling children’s book about sexual-abuse prevention, and “When Your Parents Divorce,” a kid-to-kid guide to dealing with divorce.
Kimberly is a busy mom of three children, yoga teacher, and trained "Steward of Children Facilitator" with Darkness to Light. She is available for interviews, trainings, and media request.
Contact her directly at kimberlykingbooks@gmail.com
“I Said ‘No!’,” a best-selling children’s book about sexual-abuse prevention, and “When Your Parents Divorce,” a kid-to-kid guide to dealing with divorce.
Kimberly is a busy mom of three children, yoga teacher, and trained "Steward of Children Facilitator" with Darkness to Light. She is available for interviews, trainings, and media request.
Contact her directly at kimberlykingbooks@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 30, 2023
I am the author of this book and probably only one of a few people who have read it as of yet! To be published in November by Gryphon House!
Here is my obviously biased review! And I anxiously await yours !
As a concerned parent, I am constantly searching for resources that can help me navigate the complex world of child safety. But, many of the resources I found. We’re either scary or overwhelming.
In "Body Safety for Young Children - Empowering Caring Adults," the focus is you! And is a cummulation of my life’s work! My work as a mom, kindergarten teacher, sexual abuse prevention advocate and educator, and best-selling author. Everything- with the focus on helping you protect your kids.
It’s the book I wish somebody handed me when I was a new teacher or new mom.
It solves an epidemic problem!
HOW TO HELP YOU GAIN CONFIDENCE to TALK ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION so you can EMPOWER your children and PROTECT them from PREDATORS?
As a mom and a kindergarten teacher… I know we play such critical roles and spend so much time with our kids. My thought -
WHY…don’t we work together to protect our kids⁉️
(The song, It Takes Two To Make a Thing Go Right!
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock- plays in my head!)
This invaluable guide that not only addresses the crucial topic of body safety but also empowers adults with the knowledge and tools to protect the children in their care. It serves as an unofficial- adult companion or helpful guide to my best-selling children’s book, I Said No! A kid to kid guide to keeping private parts private.
This book is a comprehensive and well-researched manual that covers every aspect of body safety in a manner that is accessible to both parents and caregivers and encourages collaboration, communication, and cooperation to multiply our safety circles.
My hope is that my authenticity as a survivor, mom, teacher, and prevention advocate will help you feel comfortable. And my expertise and passion for this tough topic will shine through☀️
One of the standout features of this book is its emphasis on empowering adults. Because children are not responsible for Body Safety. This book recognizes that educating children about body safety is essential, but it is equally important for adults to be equipped with the necessary skills to create a safe environments and work together.
The book offers practical advice on how to have age-appropriate conversations with children, recognize signs of abuse, and respond effectively to incidents. But also develops home/ school collaborative newsletters, book lists, resources, what if scenarios, dialogues, songs, and lesson plans- all in one space.
The language used throughout the book is clear, concise, and easy to understand. There is a careful balance between providing vital information and avoiding overwhelming the reader with jargon or graphic details. The inclusion of real-life scenarios and case studies further enhances the book's relatability, enabling readers to grasp the importance of body safety in a tangible way. And encouraging them to take action.
My focus on fostering open communication is key! The book provides practical strategies for teaching children about consent, boundaries, and the importance of speaking up if something feels wrong. By encouraging open dialogue, we empower children to become active participants in their own safety, which is an essential aspect of building resilience and preventing abuse.
Additionally, experts in the field have collaborated with me to make this book a powerful and Inspirational resource for every parent, teacher, or adult who cares about creating a safer world for children.
This book will become a staple for all parents, teachers, and all who care for children. It will change the way we approach the topic. Instead of fear and silence in isolation…we shift to a collaborative stance on prevention empowered with confidence, strategies, tools, and research that will protect children now and put an end to child sexual abuse.
Here is my obviously biased review! And I anxiously await yours !
As a concerned parent, I am constantly searching for resources that can help me navigate the complex world of child safety. But, many of the resources I found. We’re either scary or overwhelming.
In "Body Safety for Young Children - Empowering Caring Adults," the focus is you! And is a cummulation of my life’s work! My work as a mom, kindergarten teacher, sexual abuse prevention advocate and educator, and best-selling author. Everything- with the focus on helping you protect your kids.
It’s the book I wish somebody handed me when I was a new teacher or new mom.
It solves an epidemic problem!
HOW TO HELP YOU GAIN CONFIDENCE to TALK ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION so you can EMPOWER your children and PROTECT them from PREDATORS?
As a mom and a kindergarten teacher… I know we play such critical roles and spend so much time with our kids. My thought -
WHY…don’t we work together to protect our kids⁉️
(The song, It Takes Two To Make a Thing Go Right!
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock- plays in my head!)
This invaluable guide that not only addresses the crucial topic of body safety but also empowers adults with the knowledge and tools to protect the children in their care. It serves as an unofficial- adult companion or helpful guide to my best-selling children’s book, I Said No! A kid to kid guide to keeping private parts private.
This book is a comprehensive and well-researched manual that covers every aspect of body safety in a manner that is accessible to both parents and caregivers and encourages collaboration, communication, and cooperation to multiply our safety circles.
My hope is that my authenticity as a survivor, mom, teacher, and prevention advocate will help you feel comfortable. And my expertise and passion for this tough topic will shine through☀️
One of the standout features of this book is its emphasis on empowering adults. Because children are not responsible for Body Safety. This book recognizes that educating children about body safety is essential, but it is equally important for adults to be equipped with the necessary skills to create a safe environments and work together.
The book offers practical advice on how to have age-appropriate conversations with children, recognize signs of abuse, and respond effectively to incidents. But also develops home/ school collaborative newsletters, book lists, resources, what if scenarios, dialogues, songs, and lesson plans- all in one space.
The language used throughout the book is clear, concise, and easy to understand. There is a careful balance between providing vital information and avoiding overwhelming the reader with jargon or graphic details. The inclusion of real-life scenarios and case studies further enhances the book's relatability, enabling readers to grasp the importance of body safety in a tangible way. And encouraging them to take action.
My focus on fostering open communication is key! The book provides practical strategies for teaching children about consent, boundaries, and the importance of speaking up if something feels wrong. By encouraging open dialogue, we empower children to become active participants in their own safety, which is an essential aspect of building resilience and preventing abuse.
Additionally, experts in the field have collaborated with me to make this book a powerful and Inspirational resource for every parent, teacher, or adult who cares about creating a safer world for children.
This book will become a staple for all parents, teachers, and all who care for children. It will change the way we approach the topic. Instead of fear and silence in isolation…we shift to a collaborative stance on prevention empowered with confidence, strategies, tools, and research that will protect children now and put an end to child sexual abuse.
Read
November 2, 20255 estrelas para a ideia geral do livro, 3.25 estrelas para o livro em si porque o conteúdo é muito repetitivo
August 24, 2025
This topic of child body safety, and this book’s approach/ info, is incredibly valuable, so I can’t give it less than three stars! That said, the organization of the book is pretty confusing because she switches from talking to parents to educators sometimes literally from paragraph to paragraph. I wish she would have made two books, one for parents and one for anyone else working with kids.
She does a lot of in person trainings about child body safety, and I think it made her forget how little adults know about this concept. She doesn’t actually lay out basic ideas like body boundaries or body safety rules until between halfway and 3/4 of the way through the book (which… was what I got the book for!!). I felt I had to skip around a lot to find the information that I, a first-time parent of a kindergartener, needed. That said, she does provide a lot of practical things like sample questions, sample lesson plans, a babysitter contract… all sorts of stuff. But when that stuff was front-loaded before actual rules to teach my kid, I think you kind of lost the plot.
Here are the most important notes I took, for my own reference and also for anyone who doesn’t want to wade through the whole book to find this type of guidance.
Body safety rules
1. Use correct names for your body parts.
2. You are the boss of your body.
3. You can say no to unwanted touch.
4. Nobody can look at, touch, tickle, or play games with your private parts.
5. You can’t look at it, touch, tickle, or play games with other people’s private parts, including family’s.
6. You keep your private parts private.
7. You never keep secrets especially about private parts.
8. You will tell a safe adult immediately if someone tries to make you break one of these rules.
9. You trust your instincts: if something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not right.
10. If you have a body safety problem, it is never too late to tell.
11. If someone violates your body boundary, it is not your fault ever. So go go tell!
Rules for online safety
1. I will only turn on a device with an adult watching me
2. I won’t click on pop-ups
3. If I accidentally click on something that is unsafe, such as a naked picture or video, I will look away and go tell my safe adult
4. Mistakes happen! Always ask for help if you need it
5. Stay on the app or site that your teacher or safe adult has turned on with you
6. Do not serve the Internet surfing is not safe for children
7. Don’t talk, text, or message anybody while you are online.
Red flags: the visual of red flags help kids understand when a rule is being broken. Explain that a red flag is raised in your head whenever a child feels unsafe or uncomfortable. Tell them that if someone makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable, they can always tell you, I had a red flag, and you’ll make sure to take time to listen to the problem and help them if needed.
Safety plan: When someone shows a red flag, leave and tell a trusted adult.
An adult giving you money to do something you wouldn’t normally do that is not your job or that you don’t like doing is a bribe. It is also a red flag.
Talking with children about what if scenarios can help them think of strategies. They can be as simple as, what if I was late to pick you up from school? What would you think or do? Let’s write down your thoughts. [later] those are great ideas. What would you say to yourself as you wait?
Here are good ideas to seed in what if discussions with your kids about exit strategies. Yell stop as you step back and raise your hands in front of your face. Y’all help this is not my dad!
Tell your children that they never let anyone put their hands on them in a crowd. Tell them that if it only have a person does not listen, they can scratch elbow kick smack or scream.
Signs of possible sexual abuse. In 95% of child sexual abuse cases the child exhibits no physical signs. You must focus on emotional signs and changes in behavior. Anxiety, depression, withdrawal, unexplained, anger, mood swings. Behaviors include use of new sexual language that is not age-appropriate or already in their vocabulary. Engaging in new sexual behaviors. Avoiding a particular person. Avoiding an activity they once liked. Engaging in isolating behavior, such as spending a lot of time in their bedroom. Changes to eating habits, friends, group, dress, and sometimes causing trouble at school. Sometimes attention seeking behavior.
Simple questions to ask if you noticed changes include, “I noticed your stomach has been bothering you are you OK? Does it hurt anywhere else? Did anyone ask you to break a safety rule or keep a secret? I noticed you don’t want to go play at Tommy’s house anymore. Is everything OK? What did you boys do at his house last week? Did anything fun happen? Did anyone get in trouble?”
Always tried to remain calm and neutral when they are telling you things. Take a deep breath and listen carefully, it may take all of your strength. Tell them simply, “thank you for telling me. I believe you. I will help you. It is not your fault. “ Ask open-ended questions such as, what happened then? or tell me more. Tell them they are brave and that you love them and get them to safety.
She does a lot of in person trainings about child body safety, and I think it made her forget how little adults know about this concept. She doesn’t actually lay out basic ideas like body boundaries or body safety rules until between halfway and 3/4 of the way through the book (which… was what I got the book for!!). I felt I had to skip around a lot to find the information that I, a first-time parent of a kindergartener, needed. That said, she does provide a lot of practical things like sample questions, sample lesson plans, a babysitter contract… all sorts of stuff. But when that stuff was front-loaded before actual rules to teach my kid, I think you kind of lost the plot.
Here are the most important notes I took, for my own reference and also for anyone who doesn’t want to wade through the whole book to find this type of guidance.
Body safety rules
1. Use correct names for your body parts.
2. You are the boss of your body.
3. You can say no to unwanted touch.
4. Nobody can look at, touch, tickle, or play games with your private parts.
5. You can’t look at it, touch, tickle, or play games with other people’s private parts, including family’s.
6. You keep your private parts private.
7. You never keep secrets especially about private parts.
8. You will tell a safe adult immediately if someone tries to make you break one of these rules.
9. You trust your instincts: if something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not right.
10. If you have a body safety problem, it is never too late to tell.
11. If someone violates your body boundary, it is not your fault ever. So go go tell!
Rules for online safety
1. I will only turn on a device with an adult watching me
2. I won’t click on pop-ups
3. If I accidentally click on something that is unsafe, such as a naked picture or video, I will look away and go tell my safe adult
4. Mistakes happen! Always ask for help if you need it
5. Stay on the app or site that your teacher or safe adult has turned on with you
6. Do not serve the Internet surfing is not safe for children
7. Don’t talk, text, or message anybody while you are online.
Red flags: the visual of red flags help kids understand when a rule is being broken. Explain that a red flag is raised in your head whenever a child feels unsafe or uncomfortable. Tell them that if someone makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable, they can always tell you, I had a red flag, and you’ll make sure to take time to listen to the problem and help them if needed.
Safety plan: When someone shows a red flag, leave and tell a trusted adult.
An adult giving you money to do something you wouldn’t normally do that is not your job or that you don’t like doing is a bribe. It is also a red flag.
Talking with children about what if scenarios can help them think of strategies. They can be as simple as, what if I was late to pick you up from school? What would you think or do? Let’s write down your thoughts. [later] those are great ideas. What would you say to yourself as you wait?
Here are good ideas to seed in what if discussions with your kids about exit strategies. Yell stop as you step back and raise your hands in front of your face. Y’all help this is not my dad!
Tell your children that they never let anyone put their hands on them in a crowd. Tell them that if it only have a person does not listen, they can scratch elbow kick smack or scream.
Signs of possible sexual abuse. In 95% of child sexual abuse cases the child exhibits no physical signs. You must focus on emotional signs and changes in behavior. Anxiety, depression, withdrawal, unexplained, anger, mood swings. Behaviors include use of new sexual language that is not age-appropriate or already in their vocabulary. Engaging in new sexual behaviors. Avoiding a particular person. Avoiding an activity they once liked. Engaging in isolating behavior, such as spending a lot of time in their bedroom. Changes to eating habits, friends, group, dress, and sometimes causing trouble at school. Sometimes attention seeking behavior.
Simple questions to ask if you noticed changes include, “I noticed your stomach has been bothering you are you OK? Does it hurt anywhere else? Did anyone ask you to break a safety rule or keep a secret? I noticed you don’t want to go play at Tommy’s house anymore. Is everything OK? What did you boys do at his house last week? Did anything fun happen? Did anyone get in trouble?”
Always tried to remain calm and neutral when they are telling you things. Take a deep breath and listen carefully, it may take all of your strength. Tell them simply, “thank you for telling me. I believe you. I will help you. It is not your fault. “ Ask open-ended questions such as, what happened then? or tell me more. Tell them they are brave and that you love them and get them to safety.
November 3, 2023
As a survivor of child sexual abuse AND a body safety educator in public schools in my state, I love this new child safety book by Kimberly King! For the sake of children everywhere, I believe it should be required reading for all parents, teachers, and individuals working in youth-serving organizations.
For starters, I love that King clearly identifies what behaviors qualify as child sexual abuse. The list is not short, and it goes beyond what most people think of when they hear the term “child sexual abuse.” I'm also a big fan of King’s inclusion of “survivor stories.” King transforms the accounts of survivors into tools caring adults can use to protect the kids they love. Brilliant! There is also lots of research in the book to back up the issues King covers. As a child safety professional, I really appreciate the research King supplies.
The book includes an entire chapter to the topic of “grooming,” the process by which a sexual predator gains the trust of a potential victim and their family. This information is vital! King lists a dozen “red flag” behaviors predators often use in their attempts to literally “get into your child’s pants.” My words, not King’s. But she doesn’t stop there. After a description of each problematic behavior, she includes a strategy, a “What you can do” section. I believe these strategies will empower so many caring adults to be more watchful and proactive with regards to the kids they love.
I’m just getting started with the book, but I can’t wait to read more. I’ll post updates as I go along! In the meantime, I encourage any adult who is a parent, an educator, or works in a youth-serving organization to buy this book!
For starters, I love that King clearly identifies what behaviors qualify as child sexual abuse. The list is not short, and it goes beyond what most people think of when they hear the term “child sexual abuse.” I'm also a big fan of King’s inclusion of “survivor stories.” King transforms the accounts of survivors into tools caring adults can use to protect the kids they love. Brilliant! There is also lots of research in the book to back up the issues King covers. As a child safety professional, I really appreciate the research King supplies.
The book includes an entire chapter to the topic of “grooming,” the process by which a sexual predator gains the trust of a potential victim and their family. This information is vital! King lists a dozen “red flag” behaviors predators often use in their attempts to literally “get into your child’s pants.” My words, not King’s. But she doesn’t stop there. After a description of each problematic behavior, she includes a strategy, a “What you can do” section. I believe these strategies will empower so many caring adults to be more watchful and proactive with regards to the kids they love.
I’m just getting started with the book, but I can’t wait to read more. I’ll post updates as I go along! In the meantime, I encourage any adult who is a parent, an educator, or works in a youth-serving organization to buy this book!
Read
July 25, 2025This essential guide deserves a place in every parent and caregiver's library. Written by Kim, a body safety expert who brings her real-world experience as a kindergarten teacher to the pages, this book delivers crucial information about protecting children from abuse in an accessible, no-nonsense format.
What sets this book apart are the practical, real-world examples that make complex safety concepts easy to understand and implement. Having previously purchased the author's children's books when my kids were younger, I was impressed by how Kim has created an equally valuable resource for adults. The writing is refreshingly direct and engaging, never overwhelming despite covering such important subject matter.
Teachers will find this particularly useful—Kim specifically recommends it for educators, and I couldn't agree more. It would make a thoughtful and meaningful gift for your child's teacher. For any parent seeking clear, expert guidance on child safety, this book provides the knowledge and confidence you need to better protect your children.
What sets this book apart are the practical, real-world examples that make complex safety concepts easy to understand and implement. Having previously purchased the author's children's books when my kids were younger, I was impressed by how Kim has created an equally valuable resource for adults. The writing is refreshingly direct and engaging, never overwhelming despite covering such important subject matter.
Teachers will find this particularly useful—Kim specifically recommends it for educators, and I couldn't agree more. It would make a thoughtful and meaningful gift for your child's teacher. For any parent seeking clear, expert guidance on child safety, this book provides the knowledge and confidence you need to better protect your children.
October 10, 2023
King's approach is both informative and engaging, as she skillfully incorporates real-life dialogues and examples that make the subject matter accessible and relatable. With over 200 pages of comprehensive information, this book covers everything one needs to know about navigating potentially tricky situations involving children. It is a must-read for families, teachers, and anyone who interacts with young children on a regular basis. "Body Safety: A Comprehensive Guide for Caregivers and Educators" is a groundbreaking resource addressing a critical need in child safety literature. Kimberly King's compassionate and informative approach and practical strategies and resources make this book a game-changer for anyone committed to protecting children. This is a must-read, and it has the potential to revolutionize how we safeguard the well-being of our children.
November 3, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2023
Verified Purchase
Kimberly King's 'Body Safety for Young Children - Empowering Caring Adults" is a comprehensive guide for caregivers and educators and is a game-changer in child safety literature. This handbook offers engaging examples and over 200 pages of essential information for anyone interacting with children. King's compassionate and wise approach and humor make the topic accessible. The book provides authentic body safety strategies, research, resources, and collaborative insights, empowering parents and educators to protect children effectively. This book is a must-read and an indispensable resource that can revolutionize child protection efforts. As a survivor of sexual abuse myself, I wish this book had been around when I was growing up. I have ordered several copies to give new parents as gifts!
Verified Purchase
Kimberly King's 'Body Safety for Young Children - Empowering Caring Adults" is a comprehensive guide for caregivers and educators and is a game-changer in child safety literature. This handbook offers engaging examples and over 200 pages of essential information for anyone interacting with children. King's compassionate and wise approach and humor make the topic accessible. The book provides authentic body safety strategies, research, resources, and collaborative insights, empowering parents and educators to protect children effectively. This book is a must-read and an indispensable resource that can revolutionize child protection efforts. As a survivor of sexual abuse myself, I wish this book had been around when I was growing up. I have ordered several copies to give new parents as gifts!
October 9, 2023
This is the best resource to help educate and empower adults who care about child safety! This book is jam packed with resources and information I did not know. Kimberly shares staggering research information, while breaking it down in easy to understand ways. She has personal stories that make what she is saying real and tangible. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to help protect children!
October 11, 2023
I am a child sexual abuse survivor. I so wish a book like this had been around when I was a child! My life may have turned out very differently.
This book gives tangible information and advice. King has pulled together amazing resources and from diverse experts.
For any parent or anyone who cares about children, this book is a MUST READ!
This book gives tangible information and advice. King has pulled together amazing resources and from diverse experts.
For any parent or anyone who cares about children, this book is a MUST READ!
November 27, 2023
A Must Read. This isn’t just a book, it is a powerful tool to help us keep more kids safe. Everyone with children in their lives will find powerful tools, conversation starters, and resources to help keep kids safe. It is well-written and a fast read. I wish every child had someone in their lives who had this information. Now more will. So happy to have found this book.
January 3, 2025
Was a topic I was already concerned with and I LOVED the content. I related to the concerns and loved the responses so much. I recommended this to multiple moms after reading it. AMAZING READ
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews